Instrument for non-contact infrared temperature measurement having current clamp meter functions
AssigneeExtech Instruments Corporation
InventorGerald W Blakeley, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handheld instrument that accomplishes infrared (IR) temperature measurement and non-contact electrical current measurement. The instrument has a case, a current-sensing device coupled to the case and operable to be placed around a conductor, for generating an output signal based on the current flowing through the conductor, and an IR detector carried by the case, for sensing IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along a sensing axis that extends from the case, and generating an IR output signal. Sensed IR energy is converted to a temperature value, and the output signal from the current-sensing device is converted to at least a measured current value. There is a display device in the case, for displaying instrument measurements to the user.
Claims20
A handheld instrument that accomplishes infrared (IR) temperature measurement and non-contact electrical current measurement, comprising:
- a case having a top and an end;
- a current-sensing device coupled to the case comprising a clamp extending outward from said end of the case and operable to be placed around a conductor, for generating an output signal based on the current flowing through the conductor;
- an IR detector carried by the case, for sensing IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along a sensing axis that extends from said end of the case, and generating an IR output signal;
- means for converting sensed IR energy to a temperature value, and for converting the output signal from the current-sensing device to at least a measured current value;
- and
- a display device in the case and visible at the top of the case, for displaying instrument measurements to the user.
A handheld instrument that accomplishes infrared (IR) temperature measurement and non-contact electrical current measurement, comprising:
- a case having a top and an end;
- a current-sensing device coupled to the case comprising a clamp extending outward from said end of the case and operable to be placed around a conductor, for generating an output signal based on the current flowing through the conductor;
- an IR detector carried by the case, for sensing IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along a sensing axis that extends from said end of the case, and generating an IR output signal;
- a laser diode aiming device carried by the case for emitting a visible beam along an aiming axis that extends from said end of the case, to assist the operator in aiming the IR detector;
- means for converting sensed IR energy to a temperature value using a fixed emissivity, and for converting the output signal from the current-sensing device to at least a measured current value;
- a display device in the case and visible at the top of the case, for displaying instrument measurements to the user;
- and
- a battery power source carried within the case, for supplying power to at least the IR detector, the laser diode, the means for converting, and the display device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.